Expert: Long Island Gardener - 2/23/2008

Question
I was going to try starting my flowers from seeds this year, so I could have more for a lower cost and also get a jump start on my flowers this summer. I saw petunias and pansies already being sold in stores, is it not too early to be planting them outside?? Or are these flowers hardy enough to be planted this early? Just wondering if not then why are they being sold so soon? I live in Oregon (97019) and our frost dates are in April, and I know despite the sun we've had lately we are still due for a lot more rain, so can I begin my petunias on my patio and yard already...or should I stick with starting seeds and wait several months before moving outside?? Thanks! Also looking for suggestions for hardy flowers (med-large blooms) for direct sun and non toxic as I have a 2yr old and last yr got some fox gloves no knowing they can be deadly!! Also have an area by my front door and walkway that is always bare because it is full shade, is there any thing that will bloom in full shade to very little morning sun?? Thanks!!!

Answer
Petunias are hog weather annuals that will not survive today's weather.  Pansies are cool weather annuals that will not survive the Summer's heat.  Hold off on the Petunias; it is too cool, and too wet, to grow them successfully right now.

You can give Pansies a shot, but their petals will be damaged by snow and ice and you will have to be devoted to them to remove the spent flowers that stop them from continuing to bloom.

I have found that Impatiens can be very forgiving where Shade is concerned.  I am not crazy about them; everyone seems to put Impatiens under their trees and in front of their houses around here, and I am somewhat tired of the look.  But there is not much else that looks as good as a border of Impatiens on my shadiest lengths of driveway, or under Trees that let little to no Sun reach the ground.  

I am a big fan of Sunflowers, which come in all sorts of colors these days including White and Chocolate.  2-year-olds are not too young to plant their own row of Carrots, which can then be plucked from the ground in 7 or 8 weeks and washed under the hose, then munched -- what better way to get vegetables into a child.  You'll have to STOP him from eating them!  Good luck with that.

Bachelor Buttons are just about the quickest flowers to grow and bloom -- it does not get faster than BB's.  I planted seeds 3 days ago and already they are germinating.  Just make sure you give them heat and Sun, and they will take off like hotcakes into your border.  Their Blue colors are a standout.

I could go on, but the best place I think would be the Parks Seed Catalog on the internet.  A photo is worth a thousand words, after all.  You don't want to over do it, though; with a 2 year old running around all day, less IS more.  Good luck and keep me posted; any followups, let me know.